OREANDA-NEWS. JSC RusHydro (ticker symbol: MICEX-RTS, LSE: HYDR; OTCQX: RSHYY) announces the year-four results of reconstruction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant.

On August 17, 2009, hydro turbine No. 2 of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant broke apart violently. The turbine room and power equipment were flooded, the ceiling of the turbine room collapsed, all ten hydropower units of the plant were destroyed, and 75 people were killed.

Reconstruction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP

2010 - The first stage of reconstruction: four hydropower units of the plant were restored and put into operation.

2011 -The second stage of reconstruction: the first newly manufactured hydropower unit No.1 was launched.

In October, RusHydro completed the construction of shore spillway of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant aimed to release water during peak floods and increase reliability and safety of the plant's equipment.

2012 -The second stage of reconstruction continues: new hydropower units No. 7, 8, 9 were launched.

2013 - In March, new hydropower unit No. 10 was commissioned; the reconstruction of the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydropower plant reached its final stage. During this stage all previously restored hydropower units will be replaced with new ones. Another new unit No.5 will be commissioned till the end of 2013. The plant will be fully equipped with new up-to-date equipment with enhanced performance characteristics that meet all safety and reliability requirements by 2014.

Currently, the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP has five new hydropower units in operation with total working capacity of 3480 MW or 60% of the plant's installed capacity. Total electricity generation by the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP after the accident exceeded 61 GWh.

The useful life of the new units has been extended to 40 years and maximum efficiency now reaches 96.6%. They also have improved energy and cavitation features. The turbines will be fitted with a more efficient process protection system, which will automatically shut down the unit in case of any inadmissible deviations from controlled parameters.

Social aspect

After the accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP RusHydro has allocated funds in total amount of RUR 188 mn as a social support to people suffered from the accident.

The Company is also involved into social projects of Cheremushki settlement aimed at development and improvement of sports facilities, cultural heritage preservation and public associations support.

The comprehensive development program of infrastructure of Cheremushki settlement is implemented by RusHydro together with the government of Republic of Khakasia and administration of Sayanogorsk city. RusHydro's Board of Directors resolved to allocate the funds in the amount of RUR 1.3 bn for these purposes.